Use this rubric whenever you have a class discussion. It provides a tangible way of grading these discussion, it teachers discussion behavior/skills, and it helps manage the discussion time. Students rate themselves and are rated by each other and the teacher completes a rating. Points are awarded for synchronicity of ratings. Repeated use of this rubric reinforces dicussion skills and solidifies the application of these skills. Students who do not choose to verbally contribute in the discussion are given an option to earn points by answering questions about the discussion on the back of the rubric. Credit is given for demonstrating understanding of the topic and for stating opinions that are relevant to the topic. The preview includes one rubric item: Listening. There are five additional items on the actual rubric. Simply give each student a rubric for themselves and 1 to 5 rubrics to rate other students. Assign which peers each student rates (the person behind you, or the people in your row). Collect the rubrics and fill out your own for the students. Tally the points for the grade. Options: 1) Give the students who score low on the rubric a chance to earn more points by completing the questions at the bottom to demonstrate knowledge. 2) Have student pre- and post-rate themselves before and after a formal class discussion. 3) Choose individual elements of the rubric to highlight and count double. 4) Create "rating groups" who rate each other or who rate other groups. 5) Have students modify existing elements or add an additional element to the rubric.